CLEVELAND, Ohio (CNN) - Sarah Palin took her first impromptu question from a reporter traveling with her campaign Wednesday while shaking hands at a restaurant called Karl's Inn of the Barristers in Cleveland.

A pool reporter from the national press corps asked Palin's reaction to the federal bailout of insurance giant AIG.

Palin said she is "disappointed that taxpayers are called upon to bailout another one."

"Certainly AIG, though, with the construction bonds that they're holding, and with the insurance that they are holding, very, very impactful to Americans," she said. "So you know, the shot that has been called by the feds, it's understandable but very, very disappointing that taxpayers are called upon for another one."

The reporter asked Palin if she had plans to come to the back of the campaign plane to chat with the reporters who cover her as she campaigns around the country.

When Palin entered the restaurant with her husband Todd, she introduced herself to about 10 patrons as "Sarah," and told them, "Excuse me for interrupting your meal." It was Palin's first retail campaign stop since the day McCain tapped her as his running mate.

soundoff(311 Responses)

One question after weeks of hiding? Give me a break. How about putting down that tired speech and going on the View? This way you ladies can have a nice chat that won't be sexist.

Oh, right, you have to get permission first before you speak.

September 17, 2008 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |

Mercedes

Who chose those patrons? I can not believe those people had NO IDEA she would be there. RIGHT? This is so set up by the republicans that it makes me sick.

September 17, 2008 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |

will

As her mouth opens lies falls out!

McCain = no change

Obama/Biden 2008

September 17, 2008 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |

Jenny from Chicago

The sad thing about this article is that the fact that Palin answered a question from the press is big enough news to merit a headline.

September 17, 2008 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |

Independent-Latina-for-OBAMA

So let me get this straight, Palin said ".......its understandable but very,very disappointing that taxpayers are called upon for another one."

Hmmm. Does she know that Phil Gramm a McCain advisor, actually got rid of regulation that would have prevented this whole mess?

Does she realize that our government is printing money.....money we DO NOT HAVE AND WILL BE OWING TO SAUDI ARABIA AND CHINA?

Folks, any one who votes Republican this November WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISASTER THAT WILL COME!

September 17, 2008 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |

Ryan, Florida

Wow, she answered 1 question from a journalist! Amazing. She should totally like run America now!

September 17, 2008 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |

Al, NY NY

well rehearsed, I'm sure. The way the GOP controls all details of press conferences, rallies (only loyal lemmings allowed), this had to be a plant. Wait til a real question is asked, then it'll be "no comment" or "talk to my staff"

September 17, 2008 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |

rodlang

I agree with her analysis of the bailout. It sets a terrible precedent but Lehman and AIG are so important that there were no good options. But she is right, the taxpayers are getting hammered once again.

September 17, 2008 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |

Kel in Auburn, AL

That was nothing. No softball questions. She needs to deal with the big dogs. Bill O' Reilly. Sean Hannity. Lou Dobbs. Chris Matthews.

I saw her ABC interview and was not impressed. She spoke as someone who read these things in a manual somewhere. I want to see her demonstrate not just knowledge, but a real mastery of the issues. There are no "gotcha" questions for someone trying to snag the second most powerful job in the world.

All we know about Sarah Palin is that she was for the bridge to nowhere before opposing it but accepting the money and that she's doing all she can to stall an Ethics investigation into whether or not she misused her power.

It's going to take a lot more than that to convince me she's ready to be VP.

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

Bucket

I can see Russia from my house!

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

Anonymous

Did they ask her what her plans are to ensure that taxpayers won't be called on again to bail out another one?

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

J.P.

Thank you Sarah. More impressive every day. I can't wait for the debates.

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

Mary

I like her...

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

Daryl in Seattle

That sounds like a plant job to me. And that answer was more general than Patreaus.

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

The Clear Thinking Independent

Lowering of expectations is a constant Republican strategy.

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

Get-it-right America

Why is she scared to talk to the press is she hidding a thing?. American's need all the openess in this election. What are the republicans economic specifics. The rest of the world need to know this, not 'Lipstick and Pig' that the republicans are playing. We are gradually getting some specifics from the democrats and next to nothing from the Republicans. My own fear about the republicans is my country's foreign reserve, so far I want to believe that it will be best kept in value by the democrats.

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

sophia nyc

The secrecy of the Bush administration will live through Palin.

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

Roth-Cincinnati

I would have gotten up and left that restaurant, and made sure I answered a few of the press entourage's questions on the way out as to why.

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

Kristen Atl

Where were the tough questions??? and she only answered one??

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

Truth Be told

"Certainly AIG, though, with the construction bonds that they're holding, and with the insurance that they are holding, very, very impactful to Americans," she said. "So you know, the shot that has been called by the feds, its understandable but very, very disappointing that taxpayers are called upon for another one."

say what? "So you know,..." is eerily similar to "Perhaps so." it's very obvious that she does not know what she's talking about!

well, to all her supporters, if you think she's brighter than a 5-watt bulb and is able to shed light to all that's happening around us, vote for her. just don't come around crying when it gets worse if she takes over the government. by then, i'll be in canada, laughing at you.

what a joke!

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

RAC - Illinois

"Gee"! Nice scripted answer!

September 17, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

john berkhoudt

Wow....she went out on a long limb; were John and Todd standing behind her? Pretty sad when after weeks, the headline is "Takes First Question"...

September 17, 2008 12:44 pm at 12:44 pm |

Kelby from Houston, TX

A softball question from a reporter on the trail with her. Am I to understand that she will not be giving any more interviews? But why? Isn't she running for national office? Shouldn't she be interviewed so the american public can find out more about her views and policy? Instead of asking questions on current events, can she answer policy questions? Can reporters ask her policy questions?

September 17, 2008 12:44 pm at 12:44 pm |

DWoods

One question, that was it?

September 17, 2008 12:44 pm at 12:44 pm |

C A Wren

Sarah Palins resume is: beauty queen, for a short time Anchorage sports reporter, 4 years on a small town city council and 6 years as the mayor of a small town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people.

Quit frankly the thought of Ms. Palin sitting across the table from the likes of a Mahmoud Ahmadinejad chills me to the bone. Given McCains health issues and age Ms. Palin could in deed become the President of the United States. SCARY VERY SCARY.

An Aside – Allan Greenspan has stated the McCain economic policy would be disastrous. Independence